* Politico kinda missed the point of this story…
Elly Fawcett-Neal, a former staffer to Democratic state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, says she was wrongly fired in June after getting pregnant.
In an interview with Playbook: Fawcett-Neal, who now lives in the United Kingdom, said she filed a complaint with the Legislative Inspector General earlier this month.
“It was awful,” she said of working in Carroll’s office. Before she was fired, Fawcett-Neal said Carroll’s chief of staff, Michael Amarilio, urged her to get an abortion.
Carroll denied the accusations, telling Playbook, “I want an investigation. Full stop.” Amarilio didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
To be clear: In a separate statement, Carroll said, “I take these allegations very seriously and I believe they should be reviewed by the Legislative Inspector General. While I have not been informed of any official complaint, I plan to request such an investigation myself. My office and I will cooperate fully, and the investigation will guide further actions.”
Timing of Fawcett-Neal’s story is curious, given the approaching elections, but the former legislative aide said that’s coincidence. She told Playbook she had been pursuing different avenues to complain and turned to the “Dear White Staffer” anonymous Instagram account to see if someone could guide her.
How it became public: A person with the account asked if her emailed message could be posted. Fawcett-Neal said she agreed. Her story first appeared in Rich Miller’s newsletter, Capitol Fax.
* From Fawcett-Neal’s Instagram post…
Amarilio told me “I dispute these allegations,” and pledged to cooperate with any LIG probe.
Also, Rep. Carroll does not have a significant opponent. The dude running against him only raised five grand in the third quarter and the HGOP did one mailer for him a couple of weeks ago. The 57th District is pretty solidly Democratic, so the timing is basically irrelevant.
* House Speaker Chris Welch released this statement yesterday…
“I take all allegations very seriously and I want to encourage Ms. Fawcett-Neal to file a report with our Legislative Inspector General, if she hasn’t done so already, so a full, fair, and thorough investigation can occur.
“I want to be clear that those involved in these allegations are not employees of the Office of the Speaker and no employee of my office was made aware of these allegations against Representative Carroll or his Chief of Staff prior to them being made public. Representative Carroll has expressed how seriously he takes these matters, and he is prepared to cooperate fully with the Legislative Inspector General.
“Restoring trust in Springfield and in the Illinois House of Representatives has been one of my top priorities since I was elected Speaker. In addition to passing a comprehensive ethics package, we’ve appointed a well-respected judge with a reputation for fairness and accountability to fill that role as LIG and provided his office with the resources it needs to do this important work. Restoring trust in government is a continuous effort and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
“In the coming weeks my staff will conduct additional ethics and workplace harassment trainings for all members and their staffs. As always, my office, our HR Department, and our Ethics Officer are at the disposal of the LIG as he thoroughly investigates these allegations.”
* The House Republicans released this statement today…
Illinois State Representatives Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) and Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) respond to the revelations of harassment and emotional abuse at State Representative Jonathan Carroll’s office after a victim came forward who detailed harassment, sexism, and pressure by office staff to have a medical procedure against her wishes.
“The toxic and hostile work environment that Ms. Fawcett-Neal was subjected to by Rep. Jonathan Carroll and his staff is unacceptable and we wish her the best as she deals with the hurt and pain this experience has caused her,” said State Rep. Tony McCombie. “This situation amplifies the culture of harassment, intimidation, and retaliation that we have seen permeate state government for decades under Democratic majority rule. We are hopeful the Legislative Inspector General will be swift in their investigation, and we urge anyone with additional information or knowledge of this to please put their loyalties aside and share the information with LIG. Representative Carroll and his staff who were complicit in this untenable situation should consider resigning immediately.”
“We seem to have yet another example of how Springfield Democrats’ supposed political principles end once political insider power begins,” said State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi. “Ms. Fawcett-Neal has alleged horrible experiences involving Representative Carroll and his staff. She claims that she could not get meaningful relief because his political allies would protect him. But is anyone surprised that Springfield’s culture of corruption constantly creates fresh stories of victims who feel knocked down, locked out and hopeless? To protect their corrupt practices from real oversight, Democrats rendered the Legislative Inspector General toothless. As we saw with the Special Investigating Committee involving Mike Madigan, they refuse to call out their own. With no accountability, it is inevitable that abusive practices will continue go unchecked.”
* NASW-IL has withdrawn its endorsement…
The Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-IL) was dismayed to hear of the allocations against Representative Johnathan Carroll this week. The NASW-IL Political Action Committee (PAC) has publicly endorsed Representative Carroll for the 2022 election, the serious public accusations have resulted in the PAC questioning the candidate’s alignment with social work values and, as such, feel it is important to rescind the endorsement. The representative has been notified of this action.
NASW-IL PAC supports women in sexual harassment allocations and women’s rights in the workplace. The endorsements of the PAC reflect those values.
…Adding… A question was raised in comments about Fawcett-Neal’s employment status when she left for the UK. She saw the comment and then reached out to confirm she “was still completing all my work while in the UK and was working 14 hour days in some cases due to time zones.” She also attached an email as an example.
*** UPDATE *** Gov. Pritzker’s spokesperson Emily Bittner…
These allegations are very troubling and the behaviors alleged are unacceptable. The Governor urges that these allegations be fully and quickly investigated. Anyone who has committed any wrongdoing should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
- Hannibal Lecter - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 9:17 am:
Carroll needs to resign.
- MaddyMoon - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 9:24 am:
believe all women. full stop. Carroll must resign now
- No Contest - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 9:28 am:
Oswego Willy said that after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade that abortion would be a game changer issue in the election. Turns out he was right after all!
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 9:30 am:
This is going to get real ugly, real fast.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 9:32 am:
Do the House Republicans have a human resources department?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 9:53 am:
===he was right===
It’s “news” because of how wrong I usually am
To the post,
The voters will get to weigh in, likely first, then the IG, if Carroll wins, second.
The real problem to the ethics and politics to *this* stand alone is that an election is so close where the election results will likely happen before an investigation, right now it’s framed like campaign oppo and that’s unfair to *this* situation.
- Support Women all the time - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:00 am:
The gov should publicly ask him to resign.
- Hannibal Lecter - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:02 am:
=== The gov should publicly ask him to resign. ===
So should the Speaker, the Women’s Caucus and the Democratic committeewoman that represents the same area as him.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:03 am:
“Before she was fired, Fawcett-Neal said Carroll’s chief of staff, Michael Amarilio, urged her to get an abortion”
Carroll/DPI promise to protect women’s reproductive rights. Carroll’s staffer and office forgot that can include full-term pregnancy and birth.
- Amalia - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:07 am:
yes, it should be investigated. Investigated. it does not sound great. but process should apply to all cases, you know, how everyone says those arrested for crimes are not presumed to be guilty but will be tried in a court of law.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:08 am:
===I’ll second that===
You still can’t add to a discussion.
That much I know I get right.
:)
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:08 am:
–she returned to the U.K. before she was fired–
That seems like it might be a bit more relevant.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:11 am:
===That seems like it might be a bit more relevant===
How? Also, I wouldn’t rely too heavily on Politico’s story telling.
- Techie - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:11 am:
Innocent until proven guilty, or no?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:15 am:
===Innocent until proven guilty===
There are no criminal investigations of this.
- Watchdog - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:15 am:
Someone should look at his expenses from his campaign funds on the SBE website. Trips to Hawaii and other places as well as lots of other curious purchases.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:20 am:
–How?–
Because she isn’t around to do her job in Illinois? As stated, she was here on a work visa that I would imagine required her to perform work at her place of employment listed on that work visa. If she was no longer performing that work because she wasn’t in the state, or the country, then the status of that work visa is in question. I wouldn’t expect rep Carrols office to sign off on a work visa when no work was being performed as listed on the work visa. That would be an even bigger problem if that happened.
I’d take her accusations seriously enough to warrant an investigation. However, there are still too many unknown facts, like the status of her work visa, to say one way or the other. There may indeed be a preponderance of evidence to support her claim. But there isn’t right now.
I’ll wait for the LIG to make a decision before I make my own. The LIG will have many more facts available to them than I do.
- NotRich - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:22 am:
Start a search party!!! now!! Help JB find his tongue.
- Techie - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:27 am:
@Rich Miller and @TheInvisibleMan
Regardless of it being a criminal investigation or not, I would imagine the principle applies to any matter of guilt or innocence.
The accusations have been made, and we of course should take them seriously. As TheInvisibleMan suggests, this should be investigated and the facts of the matter determined. It’s totally possible that Amarilio and/or Carroll have acted unethically, but why jump to conclusions until looking into the matter?
- Alice Childress - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:29 am:
A Dem state rep has a chief of staff? Nice title for someone doing a part time job (Carroll).
But to the post, all this resign resign resign stuff is a little knee jerky to me. Absolutely investigate top to bottom. But my goodness, when I was younger I maybe embellished my situation because I “felt” wronged. Just saying, let the process play out then crucify him if there’s a finding against him.
- Hannibal Lecter - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:41 am:
=== But to the post, all this resign resign resign stuff is a little knee jerky to me. ===
I am not simply saying he should resign because of what I read. I know Rep. Carroll, and this “alleged” behavior is very consistent with the way he conducts himself on a regular basis. He is extremely arrogant, chauvinistic and only concerned about himself. Those that disagree must not have had to interact with I’m on any consistent basis.
- Sandpounder - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:44 am:
“The gov should publicly ask him to resign.”
Because that play worked well with Hastings and Threemil. Now he’s supposed to have a 3rd troublemaker blow him off? Let the caucus leaders and the LIG handle it, which seems to be happening.
- TR - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:44 am:
== The gov should publicly ask him to resign. ==
Part of the risk of calling on a legislator to resign based on allegations (as JB did with Hastings) is you put yourself in a corner when the next controversy erupts. If JB doesn’t call on Carroll (or whomever the next troubled legislator is) to resign he ends up in the awkward position of having to explain why.
- Jocko - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:48 am:
I don’t need to see his head on a pike, but Johnathan’s response is bit more defensive than I would like.
How about “Everything I was told led me to believe Elly was fired for cause. This being said, I welcome a thorough investigation of the matter.”
- Soccermom - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:49 am:
So the Republicans are calling abortion “a medical procedure”? Is that there new talking point?
- Sandpounder - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:50 am:
Double jinx, @TR
Also lots of members have staffers they consider chiefs. They’re called upon to do lots of things and pay scale is limited so title bumps are a good way to keep up morale. Plenty to be upset about here. That ain’t it.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:53 am:
“The dude running against him only”
For the record, the “dude” Is Rory Welch the GOP candidate for State Representative District 57.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:54 am:
===He is extremely arrogant, chauvinistic and only concerned about himself.===
Lol, that describes a lot of members of the General Assembly, more than Carroll. It’s almost as if these traits are in some strange job description for legislators.
It may be difficult for him to do, but he might consider making an apology to her for his behavior and that of his CoS. It’s not in his nature to apologize, but it’s the smart play. He can still deny some of her specific allegations while acknowledging she felt poorly treated by them both.
- SubRosa - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 10:59 am:
Despite the old saw “truth is stranger than fiction,” this whole story sounds a little too off the wall to believe.
- Day Late - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 11:02 am:
I’m glad behavior like this is finally coming to light in the IL General Assembly. The misogynistic activities that have been not only ignored, but in many cases encouraged are so prevalent that women who work there have just gotten used to it. It is finally time for the culture to change. Believe women. Hold legislators accountable for their unethical power plays.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 11:12 am:
To the update;
I stand corrected. But I’m still not the one signing off on a work visa for someone to live in the US, when they aren’t living in the US.
I’ll let the LIG investigation play out, and I hope it is fast-tracked to get to a conclusion on the matter.
- Hannibal Lecter - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 11:13 am:
=== Despite the old saw “truth is stranger than fiction,” this whole story sounds a little too off the wall to believe. ===
Believe it.
- DuPage - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 11:55 am:
Why would they even concern themselves about an employee being pregnant?
- Anon - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 12:10 pm:
TheInvisibleMan-
Green card holders are allowed to leave the country. Anything over 6 months is subject to scrutiny. She was pregnant during an epideminic which would be reasonable excuses why someone might leave the country for more than 6 months. I believe there is a presumption that you no longer have residency after 1 year.
- Almost the Weekend - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 12:22 pm:
If Carroll is innocent he should welcome an investigation. This should play out before we ask for resignation before knowing all the facts. Look at what happened to Sullivan with his emails when he headed the Dept. of Ag.
- Jodie - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 12:25 pm:
==Carroll needs to resign.==
What is your view on when an elected official should resign when they are on the receiving end of similar, or other terrrible allegations, in the future?
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 12:29 pm:
@anon - Green cards are different than work visas. Work visas are temporary, while green cards are used for permanent residency while applying for citizenship. A work visa is only valid for work within the US. If she was no longer living in the US, the work visa isn’t needed for her to hold that position. At that point, Carroll would have a non-visa holding foreign resident working on his campaign staff - from another country. That’s… not a good look for a politician.
But we’re getting off into the weeds a bit too much on this. Too many unknowns still to make any specific assumptions yet. Any additional speculation would be clouded by my own biases, intentional or not.
However, the seriousness of her accusations absolutely do necessitate a fast track of an LIG investigation.
- notafraid - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 1:03 pm:
Know nothing about the man. But I am surprised at how many on this site call for immediate resignation.
This needs to be thoroughly investigated and hopefully the truth will win out.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 1:04 pm:
===Know nothing about the man. But I am surprised===
You know nothing, yet you express an opinion. Maybe sit this one out.
- New Day - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 1:40 pm:
“===He is extremely arrogant, chauvinistic and only concerned about himself.===
Lol, that describes a lot of members of the General Assembly, more than Carroll. It’s almost as if these traits are in some strange job description for legislators.”
Absolutely correct. Yes, this is an accurate description of Carroll and many many others. And let’s be clear - the allegations are troubling and if truthful he should go. But frankly, they also sound embellished. Do I believe he might be a bully and could act inappropriately at times? Sure. Again no surprise and not unusual. But neither he nor his Chief of Staff are idiots and you’ve got to be a giant idiot to say some of the things she alleges including the abortion demand (and why - that makes no sense). And this story was posted a couple weeks before a general election. Soooo…I’m going to wait for more on this one and at least some evidence before I join the “resign now” chorus.
- This Just In - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 2:08 pm:
Careful about the immediate guilty verdict every time there is an accusation.
An immediate investigation = yes. Swift and dramatic action if it proves to be true = yes.
Criminal case or not, everyone is entitled to the an investigation playing out.
Guilt by accusation is a world that gets out of control quickly/
- Juvenal - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 2:20 pm:
Given the seriousness of the allegations, I don’t understand why everyone is urging her to file a complaint with the Inspector General and not the Department of Human Rights.
The only advantage of an OIG investigation is anonymity and a broader scope. But the need for anonymity is gone and the scope of this investigation is a clear cut allegation of sexual harrassment and discrimination based on pregnancy status, which is squarely within the purview of the Dept of Human Rights. They are the experts in this area, not the OIG.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 3:15 pm:
Crickets from Cassidy and the rest of the women… why?
- wow now - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 3:56 pm:
The story doesn’t make any sense to me. Nowhere does it say that he sexually harassed her, he is not the father of her child. Why would he care if she had an abortion or not? It’s just strange to me.
- JoeMaddon - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 4:59 pm:
**Nowhere does it say that he sexually harassed her**
Did you read ANY of the comments he made to her? It reads as textbook sexual harassment.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 8:19 pm:
–A Dem state rep has a chief of staff? Nice title for someone doing a part time job –
I can’t tell if this was snark. But it is not a part time job.
- Over It - Thursday, Oct 27, 22 @ 9:57 pm:
Pritzker is being inconsistent when he tells the Catholic South Suburban Dem to resign but doesn’t ask the Jewish North Shore Dem to resign. All allegations and no criminality in either case. Yikes.
- Paper Tiger - Monday, Nov 7, 22 @ 1:32 pm:
For all the people who keep calling for a full investigation - let’s be honest - this isn’t a fair system. It’s created by the democrats to protect the democrats.
Even when the LIG finds wrongdoing the democrats just vote to not publish the results of the investigation and consequently nobody is ever held accountable.
Given the sham system the democrats created, I think it’s fair to say where there is smoke there’s fire. If the results are not published we should assume they are guilty and Carroll and his Chief of Staff should both resign.
Additionally, the democrats should fix the system they created. The last two LIGs have resigned because they have said they are powerless and the system is broken. If they don’t fix the system we should all assume that any unpublished results from an investigation found wrong doing.